How to Descale Keurig: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you looking for the best way to descale your Keurig® Coffee Machine?
To keep your Keurig® Coffee machine running like new, clean out hard water buildup most frequently. Spend a few minutes to preserve your Coffee machine and extend its life to make your coffee taste better than ever.

All coffee machines, including Keurig® machines, build up hard calcium deposits over time. Descaling is the process used on your machine to remove these deposits, which helps the coffee achieve proper extraction and improves its flavor and temperature. It’s important to keep the Keurig® machine running like brand new to maintain good, tasty flavor and temperature for a good coffee experience.

How often does Descale need to be done?

We generally recommend descaling your Keurig® coffee maker regularly, about every 3 Months or when the Descale notification turns on. Follow the descaling procedure carefully to turn off the notification. Descaling depends on the mineral content in your regular water. We recommend using filtered or bottled water for everyday brewing.

Regularly descaling your brewer every 3 months helps to maintain the heating element and other internal parts that come into contact with water. If calcium deposits build up faster, it’s necessary to descale more often.

Before you start, you will need the following:

  • A large Ceramic Mug
  • Fresh Water
  • Keurig® Descaling Solution or 20 oz. of undiluted vinegar
  • Access to a empty Sink
  • Do not use a paper cup

Note: Make sure that there is no beverage pod in the k-Cup® pod holder. Allow approximately 15-20 minutes for the descaling procedure.

Descale Instructions for Brewer Model: MINI Plus B31

To descale the Brewer Mini Plus B31, you need to follow the Steps:

STEP 1: Fill, Clean, and Rinse

  • Fill the cold water Reservoir with 10 oz. of undiluted white vinegar
  • Place the mug on the Drip tray.
  • Lift the Brewer Handle. Please DO NOT ADD A K-CUP.
  • After 5 seconds, lower the Brewer Handle.
  • Now press the flashing blue BREW Button. It will flash red and then turn solid red.
  • Once the vinegar is dispensed, discard hot Contents into the empty sink.

STEP 2: Vinegar Rinse

  • Pour the remaining 10 oz. of vinegar into the water reservoir.
  • Place the ceramic mug on the Drip Tray.
  • Lift the Brewer Handle. Please DO NOT ADD A K-CUP.
  • After 5 seconds, lower the Brewer Handle.
  • Now press the flashing blue BREW Button. It will flash red.
  • When it turns solid red, power off as it starts to dispense.
  • Allow Brewer for 30 minutes.
  • Now power on the Brewer and lift and lower the Brewer Handle, then press the BREW Button.
  • Once the vinegar is dispensed, discard the hot contents into the empty sink.

STEP 3: Fresh Water Rinse

  • Fill the Cold Water Reservoir with 10 oz. of fresh, clean water.
  • Place the ceramic mug on the Drip Tray.
  • Lift the Brewer Handle. Please DO NOT ADD A K-CUP.
  • Lower the brewer handle and continue the brewing process until the hot water is dispensed into the empty mug. Discard hot Contents into the sink.
  • Repeat this cleansing process 3 more times to clean the Brewer plumbing and to remove any residual vinegar taste.
  • The Brewer is now ready to use normally again.

Note: If De-Scale is still displayed after completing the procedure, repeat the 3rd step Fresh Water Rinse.

Descale Instructions for Brewer Model: Elite B40, Classic B44, Special Edition B60, Platinum B70

To start, you will need the following:

  • 48 ounces of undiluted white vinegar
  • Fresh water
  • A large Ceramic mug
  • Do not use a paper cup
  • Access to an Empty Sink

Before beginning, prepare:

  • Step 1: Empty the water present in the water Reservoir.
  • Step 2: Disable “Auto off” features.

STEP 1: Fill and Clean

  • Pour 48 ounces of the undiluted white vinegar into the water Reservoir.
  • Place a large mug on the Drip Tray plate and run a brew cycle.
  • Please DO NOT ADD A K-CUP.
  • Press the BREW Button. Pour the contents of the large mug into the sink.
  • Let the brewer run for at least 4 hours while still on.
  • Discard any residual vinegar and rinse the water reservoir clean.

STEP 2: Rinse

  • Make sure the water Reservoir is filled with fresh water.
  • Place a mug on the Drip Tray plate and start the water brew cycle.
  • Pour the contents of the large mug into the sink.
  • Repeat the process until ADD WATER is indicated.
  • You may need to add additional water if you notice any residual taste.

Note: If De-Scale is still displayed after completing the procedure, repeat the 2nd step, Rinse.

How to Descale Keurig with Descaling Solution

To start, you will need the following:

  • A large Ceramic mug
  • Descaling Solution
  • Fresh water
  • Do not use a paper cup
  • Access to an Empty Sink

STEP 1: First Descaling Solution Rinse

  • Press the power button to power off the brewer.
  • Pour the entire bottle of Keurig Descaling Solution into the Water Reservoir.
  • Now fill the empty bottle with water and pour it into the water Reservoir.
  • Press the Power Button to turn the brewer on.
  • Place a mug on the Drip Tray plate and run a cleansing brew using the largest brew size.
  • For Keurig 2.0 brewers, brew 6 ounces of hot water.
  • Do not use a K-Cup
  • Pour the contents of the mug into the empty sink.

STEP 2: Second Descaling Solution Rinse

  • You need to repeat the brew process without a K-CUP until the ADD WATER is indicated.
  • Let the brew stand for at least 30 minutes while still on.
  • Discard any residual solution and rinse the water Reservoir thoroughly.

STEP 3: Fresh Water Rinse

  • Make sure the water Reservoir is filled with fresh water.
  • Must not be beyond the max fill line.
  • Place a mug on the Drip Tray Plate and run a cleansing brew.
  • Do not use a K-CUP.
  • Brew, Brew 6 ounces of hot water. Pour the contents of the mug into the sink.
  • Repeat this cleansing process until you have completed at least 12 brews.
  • You may need to refill the water Reservoir at least once during the process.

Note: The Cleaning action of Keurig Descaling solution may result in a “Foam.” This is natural, as the solution is reacting with the scale inside,

  1. Turn off and unplug the brewer.
  2. If you find a descaling solution in the water Reservoir, discard the contents, rinse the water Reservoir, and refill with water.
  3. Plug the brewer back in, power on, and repeat the step 3: Fresh water Rinse.
  4. If the problem persists, allow the brewer to sit unplugged for at least 30 minutes before continuing with the rinse.

Best Keurig Coffee Makers 2026

Keurig K-Elite Save $60

Keurig K-Elite Single-Serve Coffee Maker

$209.99 $149.99
🔥 Save $60 Shop now →
Keurig K-Cafe Barista Save $110

Keurig K-Cafe Barista & Frother

$139.99 $29.99
💲 Save $110 with Starter Kit Shop now →
Keurig K-Supreme Save $101

Keurig K-Supreme Single-Serve Coffee Maker

$189.99 $89.00
🔥 Save $100.99 Shop now →
Keurig K-Duo Save $70

Keurig K-Duo Single Serve & Carafe Coffee Maker

$219.99 $149.99
🔥 Save $70 Shop now →
Keurig K-Classic Save $40

Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker

$169.99 $129.99
🔥 Save $40 Shop now →
Keurig K-Mini Save $40

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker

$99.99 $59.99
🔥 Save $40 Shop now →
Keurig K-Express Save $30

Keurig K-Express Single-Serve Coffee Maker

$109.99 $79.99
🔥 Save $30 Shop now →
Keurig K-Express Save $6

Keurig® Descaling Solution

$13.99 $7.99
🔥 Save $6 Shop now →
Keurig K-Express Save $50

K-Duo® Hot & Iced Single Serve & Carafe Coffee Maker (Gen 2)

$219.99 $169.99
🔥 Save $50 Shop now →

Keurig Use and Care Guide

  1. A. Chill Tank & Lid
    1. QuickChill Technology.
    2. Flash-Chills Your Beverage.
  2. B. Drip Tray
    • Catches any residual liquid from the brew cycle and cold auto Rinse cycle.
  3. C. Water Reservoir & Lid
    • 70oz water reservoir for multiple brews.
  4. D. Venting System
    • Two fan speeds optimized for kitchen environment and performance.
  5. E. Control Panel
    • Control your k-brew+chill experience.
  6. F. Brewer Handle
    • Insert your K-Cup pod and Customize your brew.
  7. G. K-Cup Pod Holder & Filter
  1. 1. Add Water
  2. 2. Chill Tank
    • Illuminates when to fill the chill tank.
  3. 3. Descale
  4. 4. Cold Charging Bar
    • Helps to provide an update on cooling status.
  5. 5. Quiet
    • Toggles the Chill Tank fan through High Performance.
  6. 6. Rinse
    • 12oz rinse (Hot or Cold)
  7. 7. Strong
    • For a bolder, more intense cup.
  8. 8. Hot or Cold
    • Select your desired setting.
  9. 9. Brew Sizes
    • 6,8,10 and 12oz
  10. 10. Brew Button
    • To indicate when the brew is completed.
  11. 11. Power On
    • Lift the brewer handle.
  12. 12. Power Off
    • Press and hold the HOT or COLD Button.

Fill the Chill Tank

The Chill tank is the cooling engine of the Keurig machine. K-Cup Pod is brewed hot and then cooled using Quick-Chill Technology.

  • Remove and Discard if any packaging Stickers and materials found. Place Your Brew where you intend to use it.
  • Plug the Coffee Maker in. Remove the Chill Tank lid and locate the max fill tab.
  • Fill the tank with cool tap water. The Chill tank requires 11.5 cups of water. Pour slowly until it reaches the Max Fill tab.

Chill Tank Tips:

  • The Colder the water put into the Chill Tank, the quicker the coldest reaches the temperature.
  • Fill the Water reservoir with 1.5 times or use a pitcher.
  • Using a pitcher with a spout can make the filling easier.
  • Position the Keurig machine at least 6 inches away from obstructions for best cooling performance.
  • Keep Keurig away from the other heating sources.
  • Do not keep Keurig Brew+Chill in direct sunlight.

Before You Brew Coffee

  1. Fill the water reservoir: Fill the Water to the max fill line. Install a Keurig Water Filter if you have one.
  2. Place a 12oz mug on the drip tray.
    Note: Use clean water; do not use distilled water.
  • Lift and lower the handle. Do not keep a K-Cup pod.
  • Next, press the Rinse button.
  • Select Hot and press the center K button to begin the process
  • The process is completed when the K button is no longer illuminated.
  • Clean and Empty the mug. Place it back on the drip tray.
  • Select COLD to perform a rinse cycle for the cold system.
  • Note: Repeat these steps after Brew.

How to Brew Your First Cup: Hot Coffee

  • Insert a K-Cup Pod.
  • Place a mug on the drip tray.
  • Close the Handle.
  • Set defaults to HOT, Choose brew size, and press the K Button.
  • Press the K Button to start the brew process.
  • The HOT Brew is complete when the K Button is no longer illuminated.

How to Brew Your First Cup: Cold Coffee

  • Lift the handle, insert a K-Cup pod, and close the handle.
  • Place a cup on the drip tray
  • Please avoid using a Glass cup over an iced brew.
  • Please select the COLD button.
  • Now Choose your brew size.
  • Press the K button.
  • If the K button is no longer illuminated. Your brew is complete.

Cold Auto Rinse Cycle

Keep Your Quick Chill Machine running at top performance.

  • Rinse will start automatically when the cold brew process is complete, indicated by the blinking RINSE Button.
  • Remove Beverage from the drip tray,
  • Note: Do not open the brewer handle until the process is complete.
  • As indicated by the RINSE button no longer blinking.
  • Auto Rinse will start and take 1 minute.
  • Once you hear sounds during the cycle and see water in the drip tray.
  • If you remove the drip tray to brew.
  • Make sure to reinsert the drip tray after every brew.
  • Drip tray can hold up to three Auto-Rinse Cycles.
  • You will see a red indicator on the drip tray to inform you it’s time to empty.

Cold Charging Bar LED Lights: Guide

Two LED lights will indicate the chill tank charging status. Once fully charged, you can brew 4 beverages. When fully charged, you will get the coldest beverage:

Low Charge
Medium Charge
High Charge
Fully Charged

Tips to Check Charging Status

  • To check the charging status while the brewer is idle (press COLD button)
  • If the Chill tank is not fully charged, You can use the COLD Function. But the beverage won’t be as cold as when fully charged.
  • The Cold charging bar LED lights will blink fast to indicate High Performance mode.
  • It will take up to 6 hours to reach a full cold charge.

Best Brewer Features

Multi-stream Technology: Soaked the grounds evenly to extract full flavor and aroma in each cup, Hot and Cold.

Quick Chill Technology: Cools coffee to an iced temperature in less than 3 minutes.

Cold Charging Bar: Gives you the status of Chill Tank, Low, Medium, High, or Fully Charged. So you know when your brewer is ready.

Brews HOT and COLD: Scrumptiously hot and refreshingly chilled iced coffee.

Quiet Mode and Pause: Allow you to control the chilling speed of the brewer between High performance, Quiet, and off modes. Press and hold Quiet to sleep all cooling capabilities for 6 hours.

Strong Brew: Helps to make a bolder, more intense cup.

Rinse: A Manual Descaling or cleaning cycle. Designed to ensure your beverages taste great all the time on every brew.

Power Off: To power on your brewer. Press any button or lift the brewer handle. The brewer will automatically turn off after 5 minutes. Also, press and hold the HOT or COLD button to turn the brewer off.

How to Enable High Altitude Brewing Mode

To ensure your brewer works properly at a higher altitude (5,000 feet), you need to enable the high-Altitude Brewing mode:

  1. Make sure the brewer is plugged in and powered off.
  2. Press and hold the K button and 8oz button for at least 3 seconds.
  3. The Cold Charging bar lights will flash twice to confirm that the High Altitude Mode has been enabled and is ready to use.

Note: The High Altitude Mode will remain enabled until 1-2 steps are repeated; the cold charging bar lights flash twice to confirm that the High Altitude Brewing mode is now disabled.

Caring For Your brewer

Keep your brewer running at peak performance by following the recommended maintenance schedule: (For Great-Tasting)

FrequencyKeurig ProductKeurig Benefit
WeeklyRinse PodsWeekly cleaning with Rinse pods helps reduce flavor carryover between brews
Every 2 monthsWater FiltersKeep Water Fresh and Help Remove Impurities
Every 3 Months or when the Descale Notification turns on. Descaling SolutionThe descaling method: eliminates mineral buildup to enhance the taste of every coffee and preserve the long-term performance of your coffee Maker.

  • Storage: Before storage, Empty the water tank. If the brewer has been in storage for 2 days, run a Rinse before brewing your beverage.
  • Chill Tank: You need to add water to the Chill Tank once per year, and you will be alerted by the CHILL TANK LED.

To remove the K-Cup Pod holder:

  1. lift the handle and grasp the front of the K-Cup Pod holder with two hands.
  2. Now pull with two hands until it releases.
  3. Clean the K-Cup Pod holder
  4. Use the two front ribs as a guide and snap into place from the top.

Exit Needle

  1. Remove the Pod holder assembly
  2. Locate the silicone valve that sits under the existing needle on the inside bottom of the K-Cup Pod holder.
  3. Now insert a straightened, strong paper clip into the duckbill to loosen any coffee grounds.
  4. Rinse with water.

Troubleshooting

Does not have power or shuts off automatically

  • If the electric circuit is overloaded with other appliances, the brewer may not function.
  • Plug the brewer into its own grounded outlet.
  • The brewer should be running on its own circuit.
  • Separate from other appliances.
  • Brewer will automatically turn off 5 minutes after the last brew.
  • The Chill tank will continue functioning unless turned off.
  • If the brewer still does not have power, Contact Customer Service helpline.

Brewer Will Not Brew

  • Add water to the water reservoir if you see the Add Water Warning notification.
  • 60oz of water is required to brew.
  • Add some water and make sure the minimum fill level is met.
  • Make sure the water reservoir is seated properly in its base.
  • If the Add Water Warning Notification persists even after refilling, (Contact Customer Service)

Brewing a Partial Cup

  • The exit needle may be clogged.
  • Refer to the exit needle care instructions.
  • Clean the K-Cup pod holder
  • Descale the brewer.
  • If you have repeated the descale procedure two (2) times and it is still brewing a partial cup, (Contact Customer Service)

Grounds in Your Coffee

  • Grounds may have gathered in the entrance needles or the pod holder. Can be cleaned using a similar tool or straightened paper clip.
  • Clean the exit needle of the K-Cup Pod holder.
  • For optimal enjoyment and to limit grounds in cup during hot water brews or transitioning from brewing a coffee pod to a non-coffee pod (e.g., cocoa or tea), Clean the exit and entrance needles twice.

Excessive Grounds in the K-Cup Pod

  • Do not use punctured pods. That may result in grounds escaping through punctured holes in the lid.

Beverage Isn’t Brewing Cold

  • Cold Charging Bar lights are blinking: Ensure that they are both solid to get the coldest beverage.
  • Cold Charging Bar Lights are not illuminated: Ensure you are not in off mode by cycling the QUIET button.
  • Make Sure Brewer Chill Tank is filled with water to the top max fill line.
  • Make sure Chill Tank lights are not illuminated.
  • Still, you have a problem (Contact Customer Service)

Contact Customer Service

Still have Questions?

We are here to help. Check support.keurig.com for a step-by-step Guide on cleaning, descaling, and more…

Need Help?

Give us a call at: 1-866-901-BREW (2739).